Boys Swimming: DeNeve-Arnam looking forward to offseason workouts

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2/18/12 Northbrook Glenbrook North High School hosted the IHSA Boys Sectional Swim meet on 2/18. Maine South's Michael Zaldo during the 200 yard freestyle event. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media

Updated: March 24, 2012 8:42AM

Makai DeNeve-Arnam caught up as fast as he could.

Discouraged, the Maine South sophomore left his swim club and didn’t compete in the months leading up to this high school season.

But DeNeve-Arnam gave a glimpse Saturday of his potential, when he spends time in the water. He took fourth in the 50-yard freestyle (22.30) and 10th in the 100-yard freestyle (49.80) at the Glenbrook North Sectional.

DeNeve-Arnam also swam the anchor leg for the Hawks in both the 200 free relay (1:29.55) and the 400 free relay (3:15.24).

While DeNeve-Arnam didn’t qualify for the state meet in any event — all the Hawks ended their seasons at Glenbrook North — he knows his capabilities.

“At the first meet this season, I didn’t think I would break 26 in the 50,” said DeNeve-Arnam, who was .32 off the state cut in the sprint event. “I felt like I could have done better if I had an offseason. But I’m satisfied with how I did because of my fall season.”

DeNeve-Arnam plans to swim at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles this offseason.

Good news for the Hawks is that most of their swimmers at the sectional will return for next season, including all the members of the 200 free relay, which tied for fourth. Marco Padron, Tom Larocca and Matt Kramer are juniors.

Larocca had a good showing in the 500 free, finishing fifth in 4:55.40. Padron was the team’s other medal winner, taking sixth in the 50 free (22.66).

The 400 free relay team of Michael Zadlo, Kramer, Lacrocca and DeNeve-Arnam was fifth in 3:21.24.